YLC Urges Additional Protections for Immigrant Children

YLC and the Center for Children’s Law and Policy (CCLP) have submitted comments on Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) standards for facilities housing unaccompanied immigrant children in federal custody. Over three dozen individuals and organizations from across the country signed on to the comments.

The comments respond to a Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Interim Final Rule to Prevent, Detect, and Respond to Sexual Abuse and Sexual Harassment Involving Unaccompanied Children issued on December 24, 2014. The rule applies to nonsecure Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) facilities that house unaccompanied children. Secure facilities must comply with Department of Justice standards issued last year. The interim rule also exempts traditional foster homes, but YLC’s comments encourage HHS to provide standards and oversight for these placements as well.